Product category:
Simulation, modelling and validation software
News Release from: CEA UK | Subject: 4D-Octopus
Edited by the Engineeringtalk Editorial
Team on 21 June 2006
Software keeps track of plant
modifications
4D-Octopus is an easy-to-use asset and information management solution for all the different stages of a plant lifecycle, from definition phase to decommissioning of the plant.
4D-Octopus is an easy-to-use asset and information management solution for all the different stages of a plant lifecycle, from definition phase to decommissioning of the plant It publishes plant data and allows users to modify the data, making use of a standard web browser
This article was originally published on Engineeringtalk on 3 Dec 2001 at 8.00am (UK)
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The data are originated from any available engineering data, for example P and IDs, line lists, equipment lists and 3D models.
4D-Octopus allows users to integrate all related data, such as the maintenance data, supplier documentation, quality related data, EHS data etc This is achieved by making use of either a tree structure or accessing the data via the interactive P and ID viewer and 3D viewer.
The integration and collaboration module (ICM), is one of eight 4D-Octopus modules.
Plant owners use the integration and collaboration module to generate and manage projects for handover to engineering contractors.
Modifications are thus merged with the as-built plant data in a controlled way.
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CEA invited three of its customers, plant owners Lyondell Chemicals and Ciba Specialty Chemicals and EPC contractor Fluor Daniel, to participate in the definition and realisation of this module.
During the lifecycle of the plant, numerous changes on the plant's design are executed.
This means that an engineering team is designing the future state of the plant, whilst it is still in operation.
However, the operational workforce at the plant only have access to the as-built situation.
This implies that revision management of plant asset data is of great importance.
Until now, with P and IDs and asset data being stored on paper, this was done by means of revision tracking and manual administration.
Using digital or digitised drawings required the use of document management systems.
Nowadays, however, the use of database-oriented drawing and asset management solutions forces the industry to think of new ways to make full use of the current technologies, providing revision management for these plant-engineering projects.
The new ICM provides a flexible way of managing multiple projects on a plant.
The projects range from changing just asset data or one P and ID, to large revamps involving the whole plant.
The ICM allows administrators to start a new project branch of the as-built situation and subsequently a wizard guides the administrator through the options and settings for this new project.
In case of small change (eg just changing a P and ID), there is a "one-click" action; for complex projects the user can choose which asset data need to be integrated into the project and multiple projects can run at the same time.
These projects are either handed over to an external EPC (ie just a database) or are kept in-house.
Whenever a project is ready, it is merged with the as-built situation.
The ICM extracts the changes to the plant and requires authorisation to upload these changes into the as-built situation.
In case of any conflict between the as-built data and the project data, the administrator is requested to intervene.
Subsequently the changes that were merged into the as-built situation can also be synchronised with other projects that are being executed within the same plant.
CEA learned from its customers that there was a great opportunity for a new way of utilising the databases in managing projects in plant environments.
The problems they face were explained in different ways, but could all be summarised as follows: a general, yet flexible solution is needed.
Ciba, Lyondell and Fluor Daniel are on the forefront of getting the best out of their investments and have shown a positive, proactive willingness to participate in the development of the concept and the solution.
This means that the ICM will be setting the industry standard, yet still providing a practical and useful solution.
It will enable plant owners like Ciba and Lyondell, and contractors like Fluor Daniel to efficiently manage changes and hence also reduce their risk exposure.
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